Conservatives reveal their nasty side by telling councils to stop major housing developments
The Conservative party are beginning to reveal their nasty side by by telling councils to stop major home developments until they win power.
Shadow Communities Secretary Caroline Spelman has warned that the Conservatives intend to overhaul planning rules if they win the general election.
In a letter that could delay crucial affordable housing developments, she said developers could be left out of pocket if their projects do not fit in with the new regulations.
Yesterday homeless campaigners condemned the move and warned it could lead to more hard-up families stuck on council house waiting lists.
Sam Younger, of Sheltersaid:
“It’s absolutely the wrong time for local authorities to slow down or stop building homes for people in desperate need. There is already a huge shortage of affordable houses and building has now slumped to an all time low.”
Liberal Democrat Shadow Communities and Local Government, Julia Goldsworthy added:
“The Tories are simply denying the real housing needs of this country.
“Under them, the 1.8 million families on waiting lists will keep waiting.”
Ms Spelman’s letter has been sent to Tory councillors and MPs across the country in the past fortnight.
She told them a Tory government will radically change planning rules “in whole or in part” and warned:
“We will not pay a penny of compensation to speculative developers as a consequence of changes in policy.”
Alan Ritchie, of building union Ucatt, said:
“Just as the industry is getting back on its feet they want to block new developments.”
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